IT is 40 years since he took out his licence and you sense that. Jim Bolger is every bit as competitive now as he was when he was granted his licence in July 1976.

Of course he was involved in horses before July 1976, but it is remarkable that this self-made man has been at the top of the game for so long and with a week to go before Longines Irish Champions Weekend, he will bring his best horses to both Leopardstown and the Curragh to compete for some big prizes in seven days’ time.